he gave those things up five years ago. put that editorial aside. let's go to the senate campaigns. where the battleground is. a few months ago people thought the republicans would take the senate. abby, do you think that's likely at this point? >> i don't know anymore. it was a sure thing. but the way it's looking now, you have to look at the way local races follow a national race. and i think they're following in the footsteps. you're seeing what's happen inning virginia and massachusetts. i'm not optimistic about akin. has that not changed the entire dynamic? >> now that it looks like jim demint is going to start giving money to his campaign, even though the rnc and every other republican is trying to throw under the bus it does change the dynamic. >> eliot: today was the last day when todd akin could get out of the race permitting the republican party to put ashcroft in. he probably would have won the seat. his name was being bandied about. now with todd akin -- >> olympia snowe who is no longer there. the problem with the akin situation, especially with demint considering givin